Andre Trott, 29, of Sandys, Bermuda, pleaded guilty in Superior Court in New Brunswick to a charge of aggravated assault for injuring a passenger in a car he struck while fleeing the May 7 shooting scene of Shakir McCray, 31, of Roselle.

Tom Haydon/The Star-LedgerA May file photo of Andrew Trott, who admitted his role in a police chase that led to a fatal shootout in New Brunswick.

Under a plea agreement, a prosecutor will recommend Trott receive an eight-year prison sentence, serving 85 percent of the term before being eligible for parole. The second-degree charge carries a maximum 10-year penalty.

Trott, who authorities identified as a high-ranking member of the Bloods street gang, and Cadre Williams, 31, of Conley, Ga., were arrested in Edison less than an hour after Williams shot and killed McCray during a marijuana sale in a parking lot at the Hearthwood apartment complex in North Brunswick, authorities said.

Both men were charged with murder, but that charge against Trott was dropped after Williams hanged himself with a bed sheet May 9 in the Middlesex County jail.

Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Keith Warburton, speaking outside the courtroom, said authorities had no evidence that Trott conspired with Williams to kill McCray.

Immediately after the shooting, Trott sped away in a Jeep Cherokee, driving north on Route 1 with Williams in the passenger’s seat. The Jeep struck other cars as Trott fled. The two suspects were stopped in traffic in a jughandle on Route 1 and Old Post Road in Edison, where Trott was captured.

Williams ran as officers fired at him. Police said he stole a car from a Route 1 Audi dealership, continued driving up the highway and turned down side streets before abandoning the vehicle and hiding in a trash bin outside a Woodbridge Avenue banquet hall, where he was apprehended.

Earlier today, Trott appeared in court in handcuffs and leg shackles, wearing a prison-issued green sweatshirt and sporting tattoos over his right eyebrow. He repeatedly answered "Yes sir," to questions from Judge Frederick DeVesa.

Referring to the eight-year prison term, DeVesa told the defendant, "Of course, that is a much lesser sentence than you might have received if you had gone to trial on all the charges. You understand that?"

"Yes sir," Trott said softly. The judge noted Trott would also be subject to three years of probation.

Relatives of both Trott and McCray were at the courthouse today, but declined to comment. Warburton said relatives will make statements at Trott’s sentencing, scheduled for March 8.

Warburton said authorities will seek Trott’s deportation after he completes the prison sentence.